“I am very pleased with the outcome of last night’s community workshop. The event was well attended with lots of positive feedback and creative ideas,” Mr Hargreaves said.

“At the end of 2007 the ACT Government announced plans to build a new public library to be shared between the college and the community as part of the new Gungahlin College campus development.

“Last night’s community workshop invited Gungahlin residents and representatives from local groups and organisations to attend and provide valued input into this project.

“The ACT Government is committed to providing services and facilities to the residents of Gungahlin. Community workshops like these are critical to ensure that the community’s needs and aspirations are gathered together and provide an opportunity for local residents to contribute.

“The ACT Government aims to create a library that goes beyond the traditional library to meet the learning, literacy, information technology, economic, recreational and social needs of the Gungahlin community.

“Following last night’s feedback from the community I believe the new Gungahlin Library will set the stage for future library development in the ACT, “ Mr Hargreaves said.

ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs John Hargreaves has officially launched “Fringe 08” and said it will serve up something for everyone.

“Over the coming days Canberrans and visitors to our city will enjoy the DFO Fringe and Festival Club performances by local, interstate and international acts such as Little Dove Theatre, African Diaspora, Lolo Lovina and a four new theatre shows right here in the Courtyard Studio,” Mr Hargreaves said.

“The entertainment will commence tonight — opening night — with the first ever performance in the ACT of the Chooky Dancers from the Northern Territory.

“The Chooky Dancers are a group of 10 young Indigenous men who have choreographed performances to Zorba’s dance. It’s fantastic to see how they have adapted some contemporary Aboriginal dancing styles to Greek music.

“Their repertoire also includes a Bollywood-style dance. Footage of their performances has been featured on YouTube and has been downloaded by more than 500,000 Internet users. The Chooky Dancers are famous in both Australia and Greece and we are very lucky that they are a part of this year’s National Multicultural Festival.”

The DFO Fringe and Festival Club will be staged in Civic Square each night from February 8 to 16 from 7.00pm until late. All performances are free except for ticketed shows at the Courtyard Studio at the Canberra Theatre Centre.

For more information about the 2008 National Multicultural Festival and DFO Fringe Festival, log on to www.multiculturalfestival.com.au

“2XX is a very important community radio in this city, especially for the multicultural community.

“Without it, many members of the community face the risk of feeling isolated, and of being cut off from news and broadcasts in their own language,” Minister Hargreaves said.

2XX will purchase much needed mixing panels, equipment to computerise the records library and a new computer and printer with the funding of $70,000.

The radio station has been operating with equipment up to thirty years old.

Minister Hargreaves thanked the crew of 2XX for all the hard work and dedication they have demonstrated towards the multicultural community in Canberra.

This representative group would be involved in the development and implementation of government policies that affect the Indigenous community in the ACT.

Following community consultations in 2006 to seek ideas on how such a group would operate, the ACT Government committed to establishing the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) — under its own Act.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Bill 2007 — which reflects the views and recommendations received during consultations was prepared and released in late 2007 — is still open for comment.

“This Bill is an important step forward for the local indigenous community,” Chief Minister and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jon Stanhope said.

“The community meetings to be held this week are a last opportunity for people to come and find out more about how the new Elected Body will work.

“We are also encouraging people to provide written comments on the Bill.”

Comments on the Bill will close on 11 February 2008 for introduction into the Assembly in March/April 2008, for debate in April.

To find out more about the proposed legislation or the community meetings, visit www.dhcs.act.gov.au, contact Oliver Kickett on 6205 2507 or email terina.barratt@act.gov.au.

Community meetings will be held:

7 February: 12pm to 2pm, Tuggeranong Community Centre, Cowlishaw Street

8 February: 12pm to 2pm, Woden Senior Citizens Club, Corinna Street & Melrose Drive

10 February: 10am to 2pm, Boomanulla Oval, 34 Goyder Street, Narrabundah

“30 new road safety signs are currently being installed. These signs are being used to encourage people to take care when they are driving,” said Mr Hargreaves.

“Road safety is no accident. Road safety happens through the efforts of many individuals and many groups in our society, both government and non-government. Each one of us has a role to play.

“The ACT generally has a good road safety record in comparison to other parts of Australia and other parts of the world, but there is no reason to be complacent. Each year, there are about 7,000 on-road crashes in the ACT, with an economic cost to the community of some $180 million.

“Last year I launched the ACT Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan which provide a framework for addressing key road safety issues in the ACT, by applying the “4 Es” of road safety (education, encouragement, engineering and enforcement) in an integrated way.

A copy of the 2007 Strategy and Action Plan can be found at

http://www.tams.act.gov.au/move/roads/road_safety/act_road_safety_strate...

“These new signs are one way to educate and remind drivers and the community to take care when driving.

Topic
Text
Location

Speeding
Speed kills

Speeding hurts
Tuggeranong Parkway

William Hovell Drive

Coppins Crossing Road

Majura Road

Hindmarsh Drive

Barry Drive

Morshead Drive

Pialligo Avenue

Federal Highway

Kings Highway

Belconnen Way

Distraction
Don’t tailgate

Drive n text UB Next
Tuggeranong Parkway

Northbourne Avenue

Commonwealth Avenue

Drakeford Drive

Drink driving
Don’t drink and Drive

Don’t drink and Drive it’s a crime
Ginninderra Drive

Gundaroo Drive

Barton Highway

Barry Drive

Cotter Road

Seat belts
Wear your seatbelt

Buckle up
Majura Road

Gundaroo Drive

Pialligo Avenue

Monaro Highway

Isabella Drive

Fatigue
Stay awake take a break
Barton Highway

Monaro Highway

Federal Highway

Kings Highway

The 2007/08 budget initiative provided $883,000 over four years to administer a new grants program whereby amounts of up to $1000 can be applied for by women returning to the workforce after caring for a child.

“Returning to paid work after being a primary carer for a child can be a daunting experience for women,” Ms Gallagher said.

“This program is about providing practical support to assist women to increase their potential as employees, by funding skills development or other employment related expenses”, she said.

“Under the program, the grant could pay for short training courses, formal education, or childcare fees to attend interviews. Equipment or clothing directly related to a woman’s return to work could also be paid for through the grant.”

The initiative — delivered through the Women’s Information and Referral Centre (WIRC) — is specifically designed to assist women on low incomes to overcome the barriers that many women face when returning to work after an extended period of being out of the paid workforce.

Women from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, young women and women with disabilities are encouraged to apply for a grant.

For more information and grants program applications visit www.wirc.act.gov.au or contact 6205 2885.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said today that the Government was keen to seek creative proposals from organisations and consortia interested in the site.

“The Brickworks is an important piece of Canberra’s history and heritage and it is crucial to breathe new life into the precinct,” Mr Stanhope said today.

“We have seen just last year, with the transformation of the historic Kingston Powerhouse into a major cultural facility, what is possible when we think laterally about how to best protect and enhance important cultural heritage sites. The Yarralumla Brickworks presents another such opportunity to think really creatively about the future — and the past.”

The Land Development Agency, on behalf of the ACT Government, will advertise in tomorrow’s Canberra Times to gauge interest from organisations with the capacity and expertise to both conserve and develop the site.

"Special consideration will need to be given to the long-term preservation of the site's unique characteristics, location and history,” Mr Stanhope said. “The historical significance of the site will need to be carefully considered, given its heritage value as the first industrial manufacturing facility within the ACT, and for its integral role in the construction of Canberra's early buildings.

"Clearly we are also looking to ensure that any development on the site focuses on quality urban design and environmentally sustainable outcomes.”

The request for EOIs is the first step in a two-stage process. Depending on the quality and vision of the submissions received, the Government intends to draw up a shortlist for suitable proposals. Stage Two will involve a comprehensive tender process. The community will have the opportunity to engage in the process during this stage.

Expressions of Interest close on 11 April 2008.